1. Snow Buoy
Snow Buoys (or snow height beacons) measure relative changes in snow height around the platform by means of 4 ultra-sonic snow depth sensors. Calibrated against the initial snow depths during deployment, these relative changes translate into absolute values. In addition, standard meteorological parameters are recorded, and the MET data along with the GPS position is sent via Iridium at hourly intervals.
Buoy description
Manufacturer: MetOcean, Halifax, Canada
Manufacturer‘s name: Snow Beacon
Data provider JouBeh Technologies, Halifax, Canada
Height of mast m, total height: 2.55m,
height of sensors: 1.5m
Weight approx. 30 kg
Deployment type Installation on sea ice (into 25cm diameter hole)
Technical Details
Measured parameters Sensor
Snow depth (m) 4x HRXL-MaxSonar-WR3 (MaxBotix) (accuracy: ±0.001 m)
1.5m Air temperature (°C) YSI (accuracy ±0.5°C)
Body temperature (°C) YSI (accuracy ±0.5°C)
Barometric pressure (hPa) PTB110 (Vaisala) (accuracy: ±1.0 hPa) or equivalent
GPS position Jupiter 32xLP (Navman Wireless) (accuracy: ± 3 m)
Measurement interval Hourly acquisition
Data transmission Transmits hourly
Data transmitter Iridium 9602 SBD Transceiver
Power supply Lithium or alkaline batteries (life time >1 year)